Can-washing machine.



No. 880,713. PATENTED MAR. 3, 1908.

J. R. BLAIR. CAN WASHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. 21,1906.

' 4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Main 866 as [n ven for.

PATENTED MAR. 3, 1908. I R. BLAIR.

CAN WASHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEG. 21,1906.

4 SHEETSSHEET 2.

201112 es 9 es PATENTED MAR. 3, 1908.

J. R. BLAIR. CAN WASHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. 21,1906.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

mm mm mm mm No. 880,713. PATENTED MAR. 3, 1908.

J. R. BLAIR. CAN WASHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. 21,1906.

' 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4 witnesses inve n tar. W 62%. 1 ZHAL ZKM M M UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES R. BLAIR, F BosToN, MASSACHUSETTS.

- CAN-WASHING- MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

- Patented March 3,1908.

7 Application filed December 21. 1906- Serial No. 348392.

chusetts, have invented an Improvement in" Can- W ashing Machines, ofwhich the followingdescription, in connection with the ace companynigdrawings, is a specification, like:

letters on the drawings representing like parts. T

This invention relates to apparatus for milkand other. cans, pailsandreceptacles-of various types, whereby such receptacles may be rapidlyand thoroughly: oleansedand preferably sterilized, in a simplexand-gexpedient; manner.

ijlnzorder that the principles of the' inventron-maybe clearly setforth, I'have dis' closed one type orembodiment thereof in theaccompanying. drawings, wherein Y Figure 1 is the perspective view ofone form ofapparatus herein shown as used for milk cans but of, generalapplication; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the washing apparatus shown in-Fig. 1, the Water circulating pipes and pumps being omitted; Fig. 3 isaside elevation of t e structure shown in Fig; 2; Fig. 4 'is'alongitudinal horizontal sec- '--t1on' of the middle portion of theapparatus shown in Fig. 2, the can'conveying-mech'anism being omitted toillustrate parts 'be.

neath the same Fig. 5.is a vertical central :seotion'of the middleportionof the apparatus-shown in Fig." 2; Fig. .6 is a perspective viewof'a modifiedform of can 'or=receptacle supportgositioned for use andthat may be xemploye in the ractice. of my invention. Fig. 7 is avertica transverse section ofthe support shown in Fig. 6; Fig. 7 is aside elevation of- -a-nother-modification of a can or receptaclesupporting rack that may be emlo'yed in the practice ofmy invention; and

8 isa' perspective View of another form of can or receptacle supportingmechanism.

Having reference to the single t e or embodiment of the inventionherein-so ected for. r-ill-u'strationandreferring to Figs. 1 to 5 in-I.."Cl1lSlYB, the main orsupporting frame of the- -apparatus-is-represented at .1, and hereincomprises a vat orjtank preferablydivided -.by1transverse partitions into compartments 2, 3 and4 .(Figseand-5) in each of which the desiredwashing medium may be placed.

Whilellgmay-employ any suitablewashing or cleansing media,'in thepresent type of the invention, I conte'mplateernploying an alkali BLAIR,a-

water in compartment 2, cold .water inrecepner water may be continuallywithdrawn from each compartment by a pum returned under pressureanddischarged through the jet pipes to be described, with suflicientpressure thoroughly to cleanse the receptacles under treatment. Anysuitable provision may be employed to heat the water in any desiredreceptacleand herein for that purpose is shown a steam inlet pipe 8,having branch pipes 9, leadin into each receptacle, and suitably controled.

While the milk cans or other receptacles to be cleansed may be fed overthe compartment or compartments of the tank orvat in any suitablemanner, in the present'embodiment of the invention there is indicatedfor thatpurpose a pair of laterally spaced endless chains 1.0 and 11,mounted at o posite ends of the run thereof forequal an simultaneousmovement upon horizontally disposed shafts 12 and 13, preferablyadjustably in any suitable manner, as upon standards or of the tank orvat 1, and. alined therewith, it being apparent that ifdesired,'.the:chains or receptac e conveying mechanism may be suitablymounted u on the vat. I prefer, however, to mount t e chains in themanner indicated, as thereby an extended, exposed portion of. the chainsis presented at both the receiving and discharging ends thereof, asclearly indicated in Figs; 1 to 3 inclusive. thus permitting the moreready handling of the receptacles at said points. The chains '-l0 and 11may be, as representedin Fig; 1, supported upon longitudinally extendingguides if desired.

suitable. manner as by a belt 16, conveying power 'from any suitablesource .to a horizontally disposed shaft 17 connected -.by a sprocketchain 18, shaft 19 and sprocket chain 19 to the shaft 12, the chains and11 being driven at any desired rate of speed, and the upper run thereoftraveling from left to right,viewing Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

Within or over each compartment 2, .3 and tacle 3 and hot water incompartment4, and

mounted so that any slack may be taken up' uprights 14 and 15,1ocatediatopposite-ends pumps being. herein indicated: In this-man- The chains 10andll may be driven in any I I the cans or receptacles to be washed;Herein purpose, longitudinally 23, 24 and 25, leading are indicated forthe disposed extensions from the inlet pipes 20, 21 and 22 respectivelyand disposed beneath and axially in line with the path or travel of thechains 10 and 11 and between the same, said longitudinalextensionshaving a series of perforations 23, 24 and 25, whereby thewater or other cleansing medium may be jetted upwardly, and, inthepresent embodiment of the invention, into the interior of the cans orreceptacles. -While said pipes 20, 21 and 22 may each be provided withextensions permitting the discharge of Water in jets or otherwise,against the outer surface of the cans or receptacles, herein the pipe 20is shown as provided with side extensions 26' and 27, substantiallyparallel with the longitudinal extension 23 and having uprisingtherefrom, vertically disposed pipes 28, with jetting orifices 29. Thepipe 21 is not herein shown as provided with extensions permitting thedischarge of water therefrom against the outer surface of the cans orother receptacles, but it is apparent that such extenslon may beprovided within the scope of the invention. The pipe 22 is shown asprovided with extensions 30 and 31, having upright portions 32, uponopposite sides and jetting orifices 33. Preferably in the practice ofthe invention the cans or receptacles are subjected to a steam or othersterilizing bath and this is preferably done as the final step in thecleansing operation. For this purpose, there is in vided a steam inletipe 34 having jetting orifices 35, by which steam may be discharged ifdesired, directly against the re ceptacle. 1

Preferably a housing 36 is provided to inclose the receptacles whilethey are subjected to the action of the cleansing media, and shown asmounted upon the tank or vat 2, and having end openings 37 and 38 forthe entrance and discharge of the receptacles. Preferably near thedischarge end thereof the housing is provided with a steam hood 39,having an outlet 40, whereby if desired, the steam may be dischargedinto the outer air through a window or the like, in the building whereinthe apparatus is located. In the operation of theapparatus shown inFlgs. 1 to 5, inclusive, the cans are placed upon the chains 10 and 11at the left hand end of the apparatus viewing Figs. 1' to 3 lnclusive,suc .chains if-a plurality thereof be employed, 7 eing relativelypositioned to the present instance prosupport the cans travelingthereon, mouth downward, it being unnecessary inthis type of theinvention, to provide means for locking or securing said cans to or uponthe chains or conveyer.

Milk is usually receivedat dairies in cans and there bottled fordistribution to customers. In emptying the cans during the bottlingoperation usually a small amount of milk is left in each can, throughneglect or haste of the operative, and this aggregates a considerableamount in the course of a day. I contemplate saving such milk and, mayprovide any suitable device as a of suitable length located beneath thereceiving end of the upper run of the chains 9 and 10, and terminatingin a contracted end or pipe 42 which discharges into a can. or otherreceptacle, 43, the milk dripping from the cans.

' If desired, lateral guiding rails, 44 and 45, may be disposed on thereceiving end of the upper run of the chains 10 and 11, the rail 44being shownas extended beyond the opposing rail to permit the readypositioning of the cans against the latter, which may have a hingedportion 46, that may when the cans of a larger size are employed,

sired, guiding rails 47 and 48 may be provided at the discharge end ofthe apparatus.

It is apparent that the endless conveyer herein typified by chains 10and 11 need not extend beyond the ends of the vat or tank2.

Milk cans that have been used to shi sweet milk need not be subjected tothe cleansing action of an alkali bath, and, therefore, in washing saidcans, the' ump connected with the pipe 20 may-be t own out of operation,the cans being subjected to the cleansing action of cold water from thepipe 21 and the extensions thereof located over the receptacle 3, thewater after its discharge from said pipe flowing into said re: ceptacleand thence to the respective pump to be again forced thereby againstsucceeding cans.= v

It is apparent that each of the inlet pipes 20, 21 and 22 may beprovided with extensions for the discharge of the cleansing medium intothe interior of the can or other receptacle, and also upon the outersurface, if desired, or that one surface only of the can may be cleansedthereby. a

While the jet orifices in the longitudinal extensions 23, 24 and 25maybe spaced as desired, preferably they are so spaced that each can insubstantially any position over each of said direct discharge of thecleansing medium, it thus being unnecessary to center the can orreceptacle in order that it may receive therein the said-discharge.Similarly; the upstanding pipes 29 and 32 may be and preferably are sospaced that the cleansing trough 41,

be turned back 7 to afford sufiicient space therefor. 51f depipes, mayreceive therein the water, then to the action of tus at a big fluiddischarged therefrom is always directed against some portion of theexterior of the can or receptacle as the same passes thereby. Thus thecan or receptacle in itstravel is subjected to the action of thecleansing fluid at the forward or leading portion of its outer surface,and successively all parts thereof are similarly acted upon. It isapparent that should'the cans or receptacles be in such condition as torender necessary an unusual amount of washing the endless conveyer orchains 10 and 11 maytemporarily be stopped or the speed thereof sloweddown.

Cans containing'sweet milk are preferably first subjected to thecleansing action of cold ot water, and finally to the sterilizing actionof steam or the like. In the case ofcans that contain milk that hasbecome sour and in the caseof certain other receptacles, it becomesdesirable to subject'them to the action of an ale kali or other suitablebath, and for that pur: poseI may employ the pipe 20, so that such cansor receptacles are successively subjected to the treatment of an alkalibath, cold or hot water, as desired, then a further application of hotwater and then steam, and are finally discharged through the apparatusin a thoroughly cleansed and sterilized condition.

Inasmuch as it is necessary merely to place the receptacles upon theendless conveyer in no stated position thereon, but merely preferablyclosely against the preceding receptacle, it is possible .to operate theappararate of speed yet thoroughly to cleanse the receptacles subjectedto the action thereof.

Referring to Figs. 6, 7 and 8, I have therein indicated modified formsof receptacle carriers. In Figs. 6 and 7 is shown a board or support 49,adapted to rest preferably by its weight along and longitudinally uponthe endless conveyer, and provided with means for positioning thereonthe receptacles to be cleansed. represented the same as provided withopenings or sockets 50, whereinthe necks of the cans may be received asindicated in Fig. 7. Said board or support may be provided with handles51, as at opposite ends thereof, so that when the board arrives at thedischarge end of the upper run of the endlessconveyer, it may be graspedby the operative and the cans thus removed en masse.

In Fig. 7 a 'I have shown a form of open rack 54 wherein preferably aplurality of cans 55 may be positioned, such rack comprising suitablelongitudinal and transverse bars or members united into preferably arectangular receptacle wherein the cans or other receptacles may rest,being supported therein, if desired by their neck portions as indicated.The open form of rack permits the applicarespects continuous.

In the present instance I have of the cans. 1 The said longitudinal barsare represented at 56 and are connected by vertical bars 57.

In Fi .;8 is typified a form of endless conveyer w erein a can orreceptacle receiving socket 52 is provided, herein shown as consistingof a horizontally disposed-can encirclin member and preferablydownwardly exi ten ing spring members 53, to contact with, the lowerportion of a receptacle placed there'- in, as, for example, the neck ofa milkcan.

In each form'of apparatus herein dis-closed in accordance with thepresent type of the invention, it is apparent that the cleansing ac--tion and particularly of each cleansing medium, is or may be continuous,in that it is unnecessary to bring .the can orreceptacle or cover into apredetermined position before the same may be cleansed, but that afterentering the range of the first jet until the recep tacle passes beyondthe range of. that cleansing medium, it is continuously subjected to thecleansing action thereof. apparent that the pipes for the next cleansingmedium may be so arrangedrelatively to those of the first asthat the canor receptacle passes without intermission from the action of the firstmedium tozthat 0f the-second, and so on, so that the cleansing operationis in all It will be apparent that a circulating system need not beemployed but that the water Y or other cleansing fluid maybe allowed torun to waste ifdesired. The vat, if employed,

, may be located at any desired point in operative relation to the cansor receptacles.

It is of course Having thus described the invention, I desire it to beunderstood that althou h specific descriptive terms are employed, t eyare used in a generic sense and not for purposes of limitation andthatthe scope of the invention is set forth in the following claims.

Claims. v

1. A receptacle' washing apparatus com'-' prising a vat, a circulatingsystem connected thereto and having a substantially horizontally andlongitudinally disposed p'pe having upwardly directed discharge openings-.an

opposed upright pipes having facing ateral discharge openings, anendless carrier having a substantially horizontal run thereof disposedabove said vat .over said first mentioned. pipe and between said uprightpipes and adapted toreceive thereon receptacles to be cleansed, and anadjustable lateral 'de for receptacles so positioned upon will rier.

2. A receptacle washing apparatus comprising a vat, an endless carrierhaving an operative run supported above the same and adapted to receivereceptacles supported mouth downward thereon, cleansing medium pipeswithin said vat and directed toward the interior of said receptacles,and means-located 65 tion of the cleansing medium to the surfaceanterior to said cleansing pipes to receivematerial discharged from saidreceptacles, said adapted material being received by said meansuncontaminated by said cleansing medium.

3. A receptacle washing apparatus comprising a vat, an endless carrierhaving operative run supported above the same and toreceive receptaclessupported mouth downward thereon, cleansing medium pipes within said vatand directed toward the interior and the exterior of said receptacles,and means located anterior to said cleansing pipes to receive materialdischarged 'from said receptacles, said material being received bysaidmeans uncontaminated by said cleansing medium.

4. A receptacle washing apparatus comprising a vat having compartmentstherein, a cleansing fluid circulating system connected to eachcompartment and terminating in pes upwardly directed, an enddischarge pless carrier comprising laterally spaced portions whereonreceptacles maybe'positioned mouth downward and spanning the same, and a trough beneaththe upper run of said endless carrier anterior to said discharge pipesto receive material draining from said receptacles.

5. A receptacle washing apparatus comprising a vat having a plurality ofcompartments, means permitting the heating ofone or more of saidcompartments, a circulating system connected to each compartment, eachsystem terminating in discharge pipes .arranged longitudinally of saidcompartments and having upwardly directed openlngs to discharge acleansing medium into:

the mouth of the receptacles, and one or more of said systems havingupright pipes provided with lateral openings to discharge a cleansingmedium against the sides of the receptacles and anendless carrier havingan operative run positioned above said discharge pipes and adapted toreceive receptacles positioned thereon mouth downward.

6. Areceptacle washing apparatus comprisinga vat having a plurality ofcompartments, a circulating system each compartment, each systemterminating in discharge pipes arranged longitudinally of saidcompartments and having upwardly directed openings to discharge acleansing medium into the mouth of the receptacles, andone or more ofsaid systems having upright pipes provided with lateral openings toischarge a cleansing medium against the sides of the receptacles and anendless carrier having an operative run positioned above said. dischargepipes and adapted to receive receptacles positioned thereon mouthdownward whereby the interior of said receptacles may be cleansed fromsaid upwardly directed openings and the exterior from said lateraldischarge openings.

7. A receptacle washing apparatus comprising a vat, a circulating systemconnected upright pipes having facing connected to thereto and having apipe having upwardly directed discharge openings and opposed lateraldischarge openings, and an endless carrier having a substantiallyhorizontal run thereof disposed above said vat over said first mentionedpipe and between said upright pipes and adapted to receive thereonreceptacles to be cleansed, whereby the interior of said receptacles maybe cleansed from said upwardly directed openings and the exterior fromsaid lateral discharge openings.

' 8. A receptacle washing apparatus comprising a vat having acirculating system including a pump, a substantially horizontaldischarge pipe having upwardly directed openlugs and upright opposeddischarge pipes having lateral facing discharge openings, and an endlesscarrier co prising a plurality of later ally spaced members upon whichreceptacles to be cleansed may be supported to span the same, and meansto operate said carrier.

9. A receptacle washing apparatus comprising a vat having a circulatingsystem including a pump, a horizontal discharge pipe having upwardlydirected openings and upright opposed discharge pipes having lateralfacing discharge openings, an endless carrier comprising a plurality oflaterally spaced members upon which receptacles to be cleansed may besupported to span the same, means to operate said carrier and a troughanterior to said discharge pipes to receive material draining from saidreceptacles said material being received by said means uncontaminated bythe cleansing medium.

10. A receptacle washing apparatus comprising a vat having a pluralityof compartments, a circulating system connected to each vat, means toheat the contents of one or more of said vats, discharge pipes connectedto said systems having upwardly directed discharge openings, opposedupright discharge pipes having lateral facing discharge openings, anendless carrier comprising laterally spaced members adapted to receivethereon receptacles to be cleansed, said endless carrier having an upperhorizontal run projecting beyond said vat at the intake end thereof, anda receptacle beneath said projecting portion of said run of said carrierto receive material draining from receptacles positioned thereon.

11. A receptacle washing apparatus comprising a vat having a pluralityof compartments, a circulating system connected to each vat, means toheat the contents of one or more of said vats, discharge pi es connectedto said systems having u ward y directed dlscharge openings, oppose riht discharge p pes having lateral facing discharge openings, an endlesscarrier comprising laterally spaced members adapted to reeelve thereonrecepfades to be cleansed, said endless carrier having an upperhorizontal run projecting beyond said vat at the intake end thereof, areceptacle beneath said projecting portion of said run of said carrierto receive material draining from receptacles positioned thereon, and ahousing mounted upon said vat throughwhich the receptacles are traversedupon said carrier.

12. A receptacle washing apparatus comprising a vat having a pluralityof compartments, a circulating system connected to each vat,-means toheat the contents of one or more of said vats, discharge-pipes connectedto said systems having upwardly directed discharge openings, opposedupright discharge pipes having lateral facing discharge openings, anendless carrier comprising laterally spaced members adapted to receivethereonrreceptacles to be cleansed, said endless carrier having an upperhorizontal run projecting beyondsaid vat at the intake end thereof, areceptacle beneath said projecting portion ofsaid run of said carrier toreceive material draining from receptacles positioned-thereon, a housingmounted upon said vat through which the receptacles areand means adaptedto receive from the receptacles, when positioned upon the carrier and ina condition uncontaminated b the cleansing medium, the materialcontained in said receptacles when in use, and discharged therefrom whensaid receptacles are positioned upon said carrier.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, thepresence of two subscribing Witnesses.

JAMES R. BLAIR.

Witnessesz. 1

- IRVING U. ToWNsEND,

-ANNIE U. OHEsLEY.

